unwirklich
unreal
Not real or not corresponding to reality; as if something existed only in the imagination.
EXAMPLE
Die Szene wirkte so unwirklich, dass sie an einen Traum erinnerte.
The scene seemed so unreal that it reminded her of a dream.
unwirklich
unreal
unwirklich – unwirklicher – am unwirklichsten
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Meanings
Forms
Forms adapted from the German Wiktionary entry unwirklich, by Wiktionary contributors, licence CC BY-SA 4.0.
Comparison
| basic form | unwirklich |
|---|---|
| comparative | unwirklicher |
| superlative | am unwirklichsten |
After der, die, das
| masc. | fem. | neut. | plural | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| nom. | -e | -e | -e | -en |
| acc. | -en | -e | -e | -en |
| dat. | -en | -en | -en | -en |
| gen. | -en | -en | -en | -en |
Add the ending to unwirklich.
After ein, eine
| masc. | fem. | neut. | plural | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| nom. | -er | -e | -es | -en |
| acc. | -en | -e | -es | -en |
| dat. | -en | -en | -en | -en |
| gen. | -en | -en | -en | -en |
Add the ending to unwirklich.
Without article
| masc. | fem. | neut. | plural | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| nom. | -er | -e | -es | -e |
| acc. | -en | -e | -es | -e |
| dat. | -em | -er | -em | -en |
| gen. | -en | -er | -en | -er |
Add the ending to unwirklich.
Usage tips
Word formation
'Unwirklich' (unreal) consists of 'un-' and 'wirklich' (real). The prefix 'un-' negates the quality 'wirklich' (real) here and helps you understand the word as the opposite of this quality.
EXAMPLE
Im Nebel sah die Landschaft völlig unwirklich aus.
The landscape looked completely unreal in the fog.
Context clue
When referring to a scene, landscape, or atmosphere, 'unwirklich' (unreal) often describes a dreamlike impression. With events such as success, happiness, or coincidence, the word instead emphasizes that something is hard to believe.
EXAMPLE
Das leere Theater im Morgenlicht wirkte unwirklich.
The empty theater in the morning light seemed unreal.
Nach diesem Ergebnis erschien ihr der Sieg noch immer unwirklich.
After this result, the victory still seemed unreal to her.
Typical collocations
'Unwirklich' (unreal) is often used with words such as 'Szene' (scene), 'Atmosphäre' (atmosphere), 'Landschaft' (landscape), and 'Stille' (silence). The expression 'unwirklich wirken' (to seem unreal) is also very common.
EXAMPLE
Die unwirkliche Atmosphäre des alten Hauses machte die Besucher nervös.
The unreal atmosphere of the old house made the visitors nervous.
In real life
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